从善如流
从善如流 (cóng shàn rú liú) literally means “follow good like flowing water” and expresses “readily accept good advice”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: cong shan ru liu, cong shan ru liu,从善如流 meaning, 从善如流 in english
Readily accept good advice
Pronunciation: cóng shàn rú liú
Literal meaning: Follow good like flowing water
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes following (从) what is good (善) like (如) flowing water (流). It comes from Zuozhuan describing Duke Huan of Jin who accepted good advice as naturally as water flows downhill. The phrase praises adaptability in accepting wisdom. Modern usage describes people who readily adopt good ideas without ego resistance, flowing toward improvement naturally.
Examples
English: "She readily accepts good suggestions from her team."
Chinese: 她从善如流，乐于接受团队的好建议。
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Work with great ease; have complete mastery
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Be very familiar with; handle with expertise
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Be experienced; find something easy due to familiarity
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Handle with ease; have skill to spare
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Have a well-thought-out plan; be confident
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恰如其分
qià rú qí fèn
Perfectly appropriate; fitting exactly
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恰到好处
qià dào hǎo chù
Just right; perfectly appropriate
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适可而止
shì kě ér zhǐ
Stop at the right point; practice moderation
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 从善如流 mean in English?
从善如流 (cóng shàn rú liú) literally translates to “Follow good like flowing water” and is used to express “Readily accept good advice”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 从善如流 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving readily accept good advice.
What is the pinyin for 从善如流?
The pinyin pronunciation for 从善如流 is “cóng shàn rú liú”.